Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular because of their environmental friendliness and practicability. If you are planning to buy an electric car, consider installing an electric vehicle charger in your home.
This will reduce or eliminate the inconvenience of using a public charging station in Canada. However, before installing, here are a few things worth knowing to make the process easier.
Only Licensed Electrical Contractors Should Perform The Installation
Electric car charger station installation is a complicated process and requires a person who understands the charger and your home’s electrical station. The EV charger carries a lot of electricity from the house to the car. If not correctly installed, you, your family members, your neighbors, and your property are at risk of an electrical fire.
Professionals have received a lot of knowledge, acquired the necessary skills, and use the right tools to install a Tesla charger or any other EV charger safely.
Professionals also know the best materials to use during charging station installation. This ensures you remain safe when using the charger and guarantees it will last longer.
When you hire licensed electrician, it means the installation will be according to all the necessary regulations, like wiring regulations. A reputable installation company should show you your licensed electrical installation compliance certificate.
Licensed electrical installation guarantees you that the installation has passed all safety concerns and helps you get insurance in case of incidences. Insurance companies only give payouts in incidents involving the EV charger if you have an ESA certificate, and you can only get it if you hire licensed electrician.
Types Of Electrical Chargers
Before you install your charging station in Canada, you should understand all the available options and choose one that is best for your home’s electrical capacity, your car’s needs, and your budget.
EV chargers are categorized according to charging levels, with different electrical conductors and charging equipment.
Before choosing your charger, you should understand that they have different maximum charge acceptance rates. This means they charge the car at different speeds, and some will not use the power fast-charging stations’ features.
Level 1
This is the simplest EV charger and usually comes with the car. You can plug them into your house’s 110-120-volt electrical outlets, meaning they don’t require unique installation.
While they are free, they are the slowest-charging ones and only add three to six miles for every hour you charge with them. They are usually more practical for smaller EV batteries and plug-in hybrid electric cars.
Despite their low electric demand compared to other chargers, you should never use them with extension cords. This is because extensions are not made fir the high electric demand for electric vehicles.
Level 2
These chargers use 220-240 volts, like the ones used for dryers or some ovens. It comes with specialized equipment that requires licensed electrical installation. They are more expensive than Level 1 chargers but can fully charge your car overnight. They usually ad around 10-20 miles for every charging hour.
The main disadvantage is that you can’t install it if you are in an apartment, rented house, or house with old wiring.
Level 3 or DC
These are the most powerful, and you can find them in a commercial charging station in Canada. DC fast charging makes the chargers super-fast. Some produce 400-800 volts and can charge a car from 10-80% in nearly 20 minutes.
Your car must be compatible with DC fast charging to enjoy fast charging speeds. You should also look at their plug to ensure it is compatible with your vehicle because if you use a Tesla SuperCharger, it is only compatible with Tesla cars. Level 3 charging speeds vary from station to station because not all chargers support fast charging.
How to Prepare Your Home for EV Charger Station Installation
Conduct an inspection
This is the first thing to ensure your house is eligible and has enough electrical supply for an electric charger installation service. You can visit the municipality and have officers come to your home or let a licensed installation company do it as part of the installation contract.
If you do not have the suitable capacity depending on the charger you want, the professionals will help you expand your panel.
Get an electrical permit
An electrical permit shows that you have permission from the government to install the charger on your property. You can apply to your municipality or have the professionals do it for you.
Electrical Vehicle Charger Installation Cost
As with the price of many things, EV charger installation cost is not constant, but the average cost is 1,200 Canadian dollars.
The price, however, depends on the professionals you hire, the type of charger you want, and whether you need any electrical improvements. If you have a power outlet close to where you park your car, a level 1 charger might cost you nothing.
Licensed professionals are usually more expensive because they use high-quality materials. Handypersons can use aluminum, thrice as cheap as the suitable material, but it is not recommended for electric vehicles.
Licensed professionals can also be expensive because of their experience and expertise. However, hiring them will save you more money in the long run because you will need fewer repairs and replacements.
Ensure you shop around and compare the prices of different professionals. Ensure you look at their previous work and compare the results to their prices to ensure you get what you pay for. You can also read online reviews or talk to previous clients for more confirmation.
How To Choose The Best Ev Charger
Amperage
Looking at the charger’s voltage is only part of the equation. You should ensure it matches your electric vehicle’s amperage. The lower the amperage, the slower your electric car will charge.
The average 30-amp level 2 charger usually adds around 25 miles within an hour. Ensure your check your car for its maximum amperage.
Compatibility
Check your car’s charger point connection type to see which cable your vehicle can accept. Tesla chargers are usually standard for Tesla cars, Nissans use the Asian CHAdeMO, while other vehicles use the SAE J1772.
Kerb appeal
While the functionality of your electric vehicle charger comes first, having one that looks nice is an additional point to how your compound looks. You can find them in different shapes and sizes, and you should also consider whether you want to be tethered or untethered.
Tethered chargers come with permanently attached cords and are the most common. When buying a tethered charger, consider the cable length to ensure it comfortably reaches your car. These are usually easier to use and hard to steal.
While untethered charges require a cable, they don’t come permanently attached. This makes the area around the charger neater and free of tripping hazards. They are, however, harder to use because you must connect the cable before use, and they are easier to steal or misplace.
Additional features
Some electric vehicle chargers come with smart connectivity features, making them easier to use. Some have mobile apps that you can use to control and monitor your car’s charging remotely. Others allow you to set the charging to start during low-cost off-peak hours, helping you save. Others will also help you track your vehicle’s electrical consumption.
Conclusion
Electric car charger installation is a complicated and dangerous process, meaning you should always hire a licensed electrician for the job. You should also consider the type of charger you want, compare prices and installation companies, ensure it is compatible with your car, and look for extra features.
Varg Inc. is a reliable and licensed electrical contractor guaranteed to deliver safe and dependable electric car chargers. Call us today or visit our website to schedule an appointment or learn more.
